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Influencing Factors and Path Analysis of Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization: Econometric Evidence from Hubei, China

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  • Zhi Li

    (College of Engineering, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
    College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China)

  • Ming Zhu

    (College of Engineering, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China)

  • Huang Huang

    (College of Engineering, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China)

  • Yu Yi

    (Law School, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan 430073, China)

  • Jingyi Fu

    (Zhengzhou Central Sub Branch, People’s Bank of China, Zhengzhou 450018, China)

Abstract

The importance of supporting agricultural mechanization in agri-food supply chains to achieve agricultural and rural development has been comprehensively recognized. There has been a surge in the attention given to Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (SAM) in the context of developing countries. However, it is important to address the major challenge of studying the important factors and the influencing path of SAM. As a representative province of China’s agricultural development, Hubei has developed significantly in terms of agricultural mechanization in the past 20 years. Therefore, using a literature review, representative field survey data, and statistical analytical approaches, 28 relevant factors related to SAM were extracted, and the main influencing factors of SAM were determined by building an integrative conceptual framework and using the corresponding structural equation model based on partial least squares (PLS-SEM). The relationships and influencing paths between the factors were analyzed, and a confirmatory measurement model and a structural model of the effects on sustainable agricultural mechanization were constructed. The results show that (1) the PLS-SEM model fits the experimental data well and can effectively reflect the relationships among factors in this complex system; (2) within the factors influencing the development level of SAM in Hubei, China, the economic factors have the greatest weight, whereas government policy factors are the core elements promoting development, and environmental factors are the most noteworthy outcome factors; and (3) economic and policy factors play a very obvious role in promoting SAM through the influencing paths of agricultural production and agricultural machinery production and sales. Ultimately, corresponding suggestions have been put forward for decisions regarding the implementation of SAM for similar countries and regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhi Li & Ming Zhu & Huang Huang & Yu Yi & Jingyi Fu, 2022. "Influencing Factors and Path Analysis of Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization: Econometric Evidence from Hubei, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:8:p:4518-:d:790914
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    References listed on IDEAS

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